News and Advocacy

School Board Candidates: Answer to School Leaders First

CBoE + CPAA Candidate Convos run October 6 through October 20. Show up. Bring a colleague. Make them answer.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrate First

 “Every one of our students lives in a city Latino people helped build. That is everyone’s history.”

$4,500 AFSA Scholarship Available to Children of AFSA Members Entering College in 2027

AFSA encourages graduating high school seniors who are children of AFSA members and plan to begin college in 2027 to apply for this valuable educational opportunity.

Advocacy in Action

We are in budget season… and although CPS has not released next year’s budget yet, we are already bracing for what will be missing. ( $1B State deficit; Federal fund revoked) Federal funding helped carry schools through COVID. It helped us rebuild. In some areas, we are finally seeing gains again. And now that funding is going away. So what does that mean for the progress we’ve made? Especially when we know that the needs in our schools haven’t decreased… they’ve increased.

Clarence Allen: From Newark Student to Newark School Leader

“As a principal, you’re everything to everyone,” Clarence says. “Our children are our most precious jewels. We have to treasure them. Students need leaders who are passionate about their growth and who hold themselves and other educators accountable.”

NAESP Names New Executive Director

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) announced that its Board of Directors has selected Stephanie A. Morris as the organization’s next executive director. Morris will assume the role on August 1, 2026, following a planned leadership transition.

BUDGET SEASON

Well, here we are again. CPS is preparing to roll out school budgets for next year.

This past year was complicated. The FY26 budget was introduced before long-term funding was secured, creating uncertainty across the system and prompting strong advocacy from CPAA. That included our letter-writing campaign around TIF releases and direct engagement with city leadership. The mayor met privately with CPAA members to answer direct questions about what was and was not protected for CPS.

CPAA In-Person Meeting for Assistant Principals

Assistant Principals:

We are calling an in-person meeting for assistant principals to get aligned on contract/bargaining priorities and strategy.

The reality is … APs are being asked to carry more, with fewer protections and without compensation that reflects the role. That includes everything from sick-day limitations to the added responsibilities many of you are taking on daily without adequate pay.

We are currently pushing on:

  • Longevity pay

  • AP salary structure

  • Guaranteed AP positions in every school

School Leaders Bring Student Concerns to Capitol Hill

School leaders from across the country gathered on Capitol Hill last week, bringing urgent concerns about student mental health, school safety, and educator support directly to federal lawmakers. AFSA members met with members of Congress and their staff, where they shared firsthand experiences from their schools and communities and advocated for stronger federal support in key areas impacting student success.